There's Beauty in the Roadside Ditch

Why do these flowers

live in the ditch

for the beauty they have

they should have been rich

Yet in the gutter they lay

homeless they are

while the talents they had

should have taken them far

Musicians and singers

artists and veterans

mothers with children

and youths by the legions

The problem it seems

those who can help just don't see them

and they've really no idea

that they're missing a gem

Their lives could be blessed

if they'd slow down just a bit

and see the homeless as people

rather than mere misfits

But their eyes stay averted

afraid they'll be shook

while in the gutter there's beauty

if they only would look

An Act Alway Outweighs An Intention

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~Oscar Wilde~

He asked for some food

from out of the gutter

I was already late

and began to stutter

Said I'll be back

but he'd heard that before

he just looked away

yeah, he knew the score

I meant to help

I really did

but then somehow

his life took a skid

Slipping away

he no longer had hope

to rise once again

he could no longer cope

Life itself

had become way too much

but my hesitation

stole his last crutch

For there in the gutter

he'd just given up

I was his last hope

and I'd not filled his cup

Oh what I'd give

to go back in time

and help that poor soul

up out of the grime

The morgue truck came

and took him away

“How the hell was I to know

this was his last day”

There Are Many Who Care

How in our nation

did it ever get this bad

folks living on the streets

losing the lives that they had

No homes, no jobs

no money for food

many our veterans

where's our nations gratitude

Single mothers with children

out there living in cars

I ask once again

how did it ever go this far

But there are many who care

yet there needs to be more

as the homeless community grows

how do the few even the score

Their not keeping up

there's just so much they can give

doing all that they can

for another to live

Clothes at the free store

food at the pantry

folks traveling the street

helping those that they see

If we all do a little

it's not that hard to arrange

and share with another

we just might make a change

Give it a chance

yeah, try it today

you might just be surprised

how much you make someone's day

Winter Streets in the City

He was a poor man

Clothed in rags

The dirt and filth

of the streets

had not only taken toll

of his clothing

but his body as well

Emaciated as he was

with little to eat

he had found his way

into a back alley

to escape the wind

and frozen temperatures

that had come with winter

to the city

What he found

was unbearable

for him to look upon

A dog huddled

in a far corner

Barely skin and bones

could be seen

The dog

shivering

looked up in despair

Lonely

Hungry

Frozen

On the brink of death

Tears formed

and ran down his cheeks

As he laid down

the dog didn't snarl

or growl

This poor man was accepted

He gave the dog

the last of his water

His last few crumbs of bread

And his warmth

As they spent their

last few moments

upon this earth

together

The Homeless Angels

Down on their luck

Life never easy

Days take forever

Nights totally empty

Huddled in corners

On streets that are mean

Having no memory

Of the last time they were clean

Hungry and cold

Often living in fear

At times believing

Their end is quite near

Sure they're the homeless

But there are days they have hope

Knowing the angels will come

And help them to cope

Clothing and shoes

Blankets and food

Given them freely

Brightening their mood

The Homeless Angels of Lansing

Reaching into Detroit and to Flint

Helping these folks who are broken

Offering more than a splint

It's not a hand out

More like a hand up

Removing the void

While filling their cup

For Those On The Streets

Those that do need

are generally looked past

and when help finally does come

they're receiving it last.

For those that do have

their subsidies grow

but for those on the streets

the common answer's been no.

So where can they go

and what can they do

when they're all worn out

like that old abused shoe?

The answer's not easy

as many folks need a hand.

Well they have new spokesperson

in Shelby Courtland.

Do what you do girl

use the words you've been given

to get the word out

of how the street folks are livin'.